Tennessee
Inside Tennessee football’s QB search as portal opens: Pay transfer or Jake Merklinger?
On the second floor of Tennessee’s Anderson Training Center, Billy High is working feverishly to find the Vols a new quarterback to replace Nico Iamaleava.
High, who started his career as Lane Kiffin’s UT recruiting intern in 2009, is now the director of internal and advance scouting. That means he’s the point person for identifying potential quarterback prospects in the transfer portal.
Down the hall, coach Josh Heupel and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle are meeting with players about their future with the Vols and plotting the program’s next move at its most important position.
And UT’s NIL collective must be brought into the loop once the biggest decisions are made by Heupel.
The transfer portal is open April 16-25. The Vols will get a new quarterback after Iamaleava bolted when NIL negotiations broke down.
But it’s not as simple as UT picking a player, inking an NIL deal and announcing it to an eager fan base. There are many moving parts and big questions to answer.
Can Tennessee get a premier quarterback in transfer portal?
Landing a veteran starter is a tall order in the spring portal window. The best quarterbacks are already well paid and established in their programs.
So scratch off star quarterbacks like Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and Kansas State’s Avery Johnson from the wish list.
However, there are proven starters willing to consider UT if the money and opportunity are right.
Iamaleava was reportedly paid more than $2 million per year via his NIL contract. If a veteran quarterback wants to transfer to UT, he would hold a reasonable amount of leverage.
However, UT must consider several factors across the roster before pulling the trigger on any quarterback.
Is protecting Jake Merklinger a high priority?
If UT lands an established starter, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger would presumably remain the backup, just as he would’ve been for Iamaleava.
Then Merklinger could compete for the starting job in 2026 alongside freshman George MacIntyre and five-star recruit Faizon Brandon, who’s committed to sign with the Vols in December.
But landing an established starter also could push Merklinger to the portal if he thought he had a better chance at a starting job at another school. The Vols would have to risk losing Merklinger to get a surefire starter or, at least, come to an understanding beforehand.
If UT lands a second-tier transfer, Merklinger has a shot to win the starting job this season. But he would also gain some leverage to negotiate an increase in his NIL deal.
Sure, Merklinger is unproven. He’s played only two games and thrown nine passes. But this is the blessing and the curse of UT stacking highly touted quarterback recruits on its roster.
Will other transfers impact Tennessee’s QB budget?
There’s a multi-layered cost analysis involved here.
UT must consider the cost in NIL money of a transfer quarterback, a potential raise for Merklinger if he’s the starter and other additions to the roster.
How much are they worth? And how much does paying a quarterback impact improving the roster elsewhere?
For example, the Vols have only seven scholarship wide receivers on the 2025 roster, and they’re mostly inexperienced. They need to add another receiver, but that won’t come cheap.
Chris Brazzell is UT’s most seasoned receiver with 29 receptions for 333 yards and two TDs last season. Former five-star recruit Mike Matthews had seven receptions. Braylon Staley had three catches as a freshman.
No other UT receivers have made a catch in college. They include Alabama transfer Amari Jefferson, who redshirted last season, and three true freshmen.
Whether Merklinger or a transfer starts at quarterback, they’ll need help.
Could Tennessee players enter portal based on QB decision?
The portal is a two-way street, so UT must keep its roster intact while shopping for a quarterback.
Coaches have had exit meetings with players this week, which are routine after spring practice. That’s when coaches evaluate their progress and go through their offseason plan.
With the portal opening, it’s also an opportunity to gauge players’ likelihood of transferring. The uncertainty at quarterback can be unsettling, so coaches are trying to calm any concerns.
For example, Matthews considered going into the portal in December when it appeared Iamaleava might do the same. There’s no indication that Matthews will re-consider.
But now that Iamaleava is gone, coaches must implement their portal plan quickly to keep their offensive weapons from looking elsewhere. The Vols need a quarterback, but they also need a supporting cast.
It’s a difficult balancing act, but that’s the state of college football these days.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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Published on Mar. 3, 2026
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According to ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft, three former Tennessee Volunteers players are projected to be selected in the top 60 picks of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood are both projected to be first-round picks, while wide receiver Chris Brazzell II is projected to be a second-round selection.
Why it matters
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players highlight the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark the first time Tennessee has had two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall during Heupel’s tenure.
The details
Cornerback Jermod McCoy is projected to be selected 29th overall by the Los Angeles Rams, despite not participating in on-field workouts at the NFL Combine due to a previous ACL injury. Teammate Colton Hood is projected to be the final pick of the first round, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II impressed at the Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick, going 60th overall to the Buffalo Bills.
- The NFL Combine was held in late February 2026.
- Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026.
- The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April-May 2026.
The players
Jermod McCoy
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, despite missing the 2025 season due to an ACL injury.
Colton Hood
A cornerback for the Tennessee Volunteers who is projected to be a first-round pick, going 32nd overall to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chris Brazzell II
A wide receiver for the Tennessee Volunteers who impressed at the NFL Combine with a 4.37 40-yard dash and is projected to be a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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What they’re saying
“If we’re going strictly by talent, McCoy is a top-10 prospect in this class. But he hasn’t played a game since 2024, missing all of last season after suffering an ACL tear in January 2025. We’re still not sure where he’s at in his recovery, as he did not participate in testing or drills at the combine. This gives the Rams — who haven’t drafted a corner in the first round since 2006 or before Day 3 since 2019 — the potential to get a steal here. McCoy is an easy mover who has squeaky-clean technique.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The reigning champions have a clear need at corner, as Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are both scheduled to be free agents. Hood is a scheme-versatile player who can thrive in press man while also having the fluidity to excel in zone. A former all-state center fielder in high school, Hood’s ball skills frequently show up on tape (10 pass breakups and an interception last season). With his poised technique and wrap-up-and-finish tackling, he would fit well on the outside of Mike Macdonald’s secondary.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
“The Bills need someone who can separate on the outside, and Brazzell is an ‘X’ receiver who can be a deep vertical threat. He can also sink his weight and run a true route tree, making him a good fit with quarterback Josh Allen.”
— Jordan Reid, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)
What’s next
Tennessee’s Pro Day workouts are scheduled for the end of March 2026, where McCoy plans to participate in on-field drills to further showcase his recovery from the ACL injury. Strong performances at the Pro Day could potentially push McCoy back up draft boards into the top half of the first round.
The takeaway
The strong NFL Draft projections for Tennessee players demonstrate the continued talent development and success of the Volunteers football program under head coach Josh Heupel. If these projections hold true, it would mark a significant milestone for the program, with Tennessee potentially having two first-round picks and three players selected in the top 60 overall for the first time during Heupel’s tenure.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WCYB) — Tennessee Athletics’ “Big Orange Caravan” presented by Pilot will roll into the Tri-Cities on April 30, bringing some of the university’s most recognizable faces to Kingsport.
The statewide tour, a collaboration between Tennessee Athletics and the UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs, features Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White, men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes, women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell, head football coach Josh Heupel and “Voice of the Vols” Mike Keith.
The Tri-Cities stop is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, at Meadowview Convention Center, 1901 Meadowview Parkway, Kingsport, Tennessee. Doors open at 5 p.m., followed by a meet-and-greet session with the headliners from 5:30-6:15 p.m. The program begins at 6:15 p.m.
Hosted by Keith, the evening will include stories, program insight and a question-and-answer session with Tennessee’s athletics leaders and coaches. The UT Spirit Squads also will be in attendance.
Tickets are $30, plus taxes and fees, and include light food options. A cash bar, along with additional light food and appetizers, will be available.
Of each ticket sold, $5 will benefit the local UT Alumni chapter’s scholarship endowment and $10 will go toward the My All Campaign.
The Tri-Cities event is the final stop of the three-city spring tour. The caravan opens in Chattanooga on April 28 before heading to Nashville on April 29. As announced last spring, Chattanooga and Memphis will alternate as tour stops each year.
The Big Orange Caravan is designed to connect Tennessee coaches and administrators with fans across the state, offering behind-the-scenes insight and celebrating the support of the Volunteer community.
Tickets for the Tri-Cities stop can be purchased at https://www.gofevo.com/event/BOCTriCities26
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Tennessee star Nate Ament will miss a game against South Carolina on Tuesday, the program announced on Monday night. Ament was injured during a weekend contest against Alabama.
Ament was injured when he was rolled up on while going for a loose ball. His leg twisted awkwardly underneath him, and Ament immediately went to the locker room.
He would return briefly in the second half. Nate Ament even made a basket, but then he appeared to tweak his injury shortly after and returned to the bench. He did not re-enter the contest.
Tennessee issued a short statement on his availability against South Carolina. The program released the statement on Twitter.
“Nate Ament will not play tomorrow night at South Carolina,” Tennessee wrote. “Ament is out due to a right leg injury sustained Saturday against Alabama. The timetable for his return is to be determined and he will continue to be evaluated.”
A 6-foot-10, 207-pound freshman, Ament has been one of Tennessee’s best players all season. He is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 17.4 points per game. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder, securing 6.4 rebounds per game.
Nate Ament signs NIL deal with Reebok
On3’s Nick Schultz recently published a list of some of the top brands to sign college basketball freshmen to NIL deals. Ament was one of the top signees.
In addition to Arkansas star Darius Acuff, Ament signed with Reebok this year. Ament was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s recruiting class. He signed with the brand in October 2024 while he was the No. 4 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.
Nate Ament sits second on the Tennessee roster with 17.4 points per game, and his 6.4 rebounds on average leads the Vols. Additionally, his $1.3 million On3 NIL Valuation ranks No. 14 in college basketball and No. 56 in the On3 NIL 100.
On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.
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